Burning Barrel...

[3montes]

So I come home from work last night and this is sitting in front of my garage door.



My son brought it home from his work and said he figured I could do something with it. So I am thinking I will make a burning barrel to use for smoking like is shown in the tutorial somewhere on this site.
I know it's labor intensive to smoke this way but I think it will add years on the life of my firebox of my snp. since I mainly burn red oak sticks in my snp the intial start of the fire has caused the upper lid of my firebox door to blister the paint and I am worried it may warp some.
Does anyone here use a burning barrel and is it worth the effort?

 

[tn_bbq]

I'd be more inclined to build a UDS out of it.

 

[the dude abides]

Ditto.

But find out what it was used for first to make sure it's suitable for food.

 

[3montes]

I knew I would get alot of the uds responses but if and when the snp gets replaced it will be a reverse flow unit. Right now I am very happy with the snp. Here is the thread on the burn barrel how to.
http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/for...ad.php?t=50038

Looks easy enough to build. Within my limited capabilities.

 

[earache_my_eye]

If I recall the thread right, preburning your splits can make for some excellent smoke and very tasty Que....but, it is also VERY labor intensive, and you will undoubtedly go through more wood than normal.
If you have the time to tend the fire, and have a good source for cheap (preferrably free) wood to burn, I'd say give it a whirl.

L8r,
Eric

 

[pignit]

I'm planning on makin one of those burn barrels this spring. When I was a kid my Dad would smoke a whole pig over a hole in the ground that we would shovel hot coals into from the fire. I don't remember how it tasted but I do remember the fun doin it.

 

[silverwolf636]

Build one of these in my signature montes. I degreesed this one and took it to the car wash and high-pressure cleaned it and before I used it I started a fire in it and took the temps up to 550-600 for a half hour each. I did this 3 times.
Never had any probs with this baby.
--ray--
(0||||0)

 

[mballi3011]

I'm with Jay on this one you need to find out what was in the drum before I would make anything ut a burn barrel out of it. Then if it didn't have anythig harmful in it the you can start the process of burning it out and then making a UDs out of it.

 

[3montes]

Wood is not a problem for me up here. Red oak which is a excellent smoking wood imo is readily available. I pay for some of it but a logger cord delivered runs about $130. Thats alot of wood. My other son (the one who didn't give me the barrel) works for Wright Tree Service. They do all the tree trimming for the power companies etc. He is always looking out for apple, cherry and hickory or any good smoking wood for me. He can always bring me logs of oak or maple but I have to split them.

So I am going to make the trip to the fleet store today to start the gathering materials to make the burning barrel.
I think instead of fixed legs I am going to look for one of those round dollys with the wheels on them. It's what they use for moving these barrels around when they are full of product. Not sure where I would come up with one though.

I'm aware of the labor involved when smoking this way and doubt I will use everytime. For the really long smokes like brisket or larger or multiple pork butts is when it will come in handy I think.
I will post pics of the project as I go. Thanks for all the responses guys!!